Taishu McLawhorn was solid for seven innings and Sam McLawhorn went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs as the Vikings downed Wilson Beddingfield 4-1 at Grainger Stadium on Tuesday for their first Eastern Plains 2A Conference win of the year.

Taishu McLawhorn fanned eight and scattered six hits. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third. Kinston (5-13, 1-9) took a 4-0 lead into the fourth, when the Bruins (8-9, 3-6) scored their first run.

Will Deters went 3-for-3 and scored a run, Damien Williams went 1-for-4 and scored a run, Robert Blake was 2-for-3, VeQuain Joyner went 1-for-3 with an RBI and Ryan Harrell went 1-for-3 and scored a run.

Kinston scored all four of its runs in the second inning off five hits by Harrell, Deters, Williams, Joyner and Sam McLawhorn’s two-run double.

“The kids did it, worked for it, overcame adversity, and earned it,” Vikings coach Michael Ellsworth said. “They have battled and have competed so hard this season and I am extremely proud of them. Taishu has pitched very well all season and he made big pitches in big spots to put our team in a position to win. Putting the ball in play, with some timely hitting and defensive plays, and putting the pressure on the other team gave us an opportunity to win.

“The team's desire to overcome the pressure and opposition is one that has been strong all season and I am glad to see it pay off for them.”

SOUTHERN WAYNE 2, NORTH LENOIR 1, 10 INN.: At Southern Wayne, the Hawks came up short in the extra-inning Eastern Carolina 3A Conference affair.

Luke Jackson and Caleb Baird doubled, Baird drove in his team’s only run in the first inning, and Luke Jackson, Dylan Puchalski and Sammy West singled for North Lenoir’s five hits.

Tyler Smith started for the Hawks and gave up one run on four hits, walked four and struck out three in 6 2/3 innings. Jackson pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and Seth Beard gave up one unearned run for the tough-luck loss.

North Lenoir committed five errors.

The Hawks (4-13, 2-9) host Eastern Wayne at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

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SWANSBORO 5, SOUTH LENOIR 4: At South Lenoir, the Blue Devils fell to the Pirates in an East Central 2A Conference game.

South Lenoir tried to rally in the seventh but left the tying run at third and the winning run at second.

Grant Tyndall went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and scored a run, Cody Ladich went 2-for-3 and drove in a run and Jake Villabona had a hit and drove in a run. The Blue Devils left nine on base.

Wyatt Janning was chased in the third. He gave up five runs, four earned, on four hits and four walks with a strikeout. Justin Howard pitched the final 4 1/3 innings. He didn’t allow a run and gave up only two hits.

The win, paired with North Duplin’s loss to Princeton, gives Ayden-Grifton (16-4, 6-1) sole possession of first place with three more league games left, including a home game Friday against the Rebels (12-6, 5-2). No other details were reported.

BETHEL CHRISTIAN-GREENVILLE TRINITY CHRISTIAN POSTPONED: Tuesday’s conference game between the Trojans and host Trinity Christian was postponed with no makeup date announced, Bethel coach Kenny Sutton said. The game was postponed because of a wet field.

SOFTBALL

SOUTH LENOIR 10, SWANSBORO 0, 5 INN.: At South Lenoir, the Blue Devils mercy-ruled the Pirates for an East Central 2A Conference win.

Taylor Sandlin pitched four innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits. Madison Beyer needed only seven pitches to get through the fifth inning.

Madison Herring went 2-for-3 with two triples, an RBI and scored twice, Bree Williams went 2-for-2 with a double, drove in two runs and scored two runs and Meredith Sanderson had a double and two RBIs.

Jana Warren opened the scoring in the first half with an assist from Holden Arthur. Parrott added to its lead with goals from Arthur, Langley Mills and Chelsea Thomas and assists from Melissa Rudolph and Brooke Tyndall .

Parrott (9-4-1, 8-2-1), in search of its first league title in school history, plays at Halifax Academy today.

Kelsey Worthington scored the tying goal in the second half, then Trinity answered with a goal inside of a minute to play for the win. Worthington had nine saves on 16 shots in goal and Haley Moody had one save on two shots. Bethel was outshot 18-11. Lydia Crain led the Trojans with 18 steals.